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LANSING — The Michigan Film Office announced Thursday the television pilot for “Low Winter Sun” has been approved for a film incentive from the state.

The story is set in Detroit and starts with a crime that will alter a Detroit detective’s life forever. The project is expected to shoot throughout metro Detroit early this fall.

“Low Winter Sun” is an adaptation of the award-winning Endemol scripted British miniseries and is a co-production between Endemol Studios and AMC Studios. Chris Mundy (Criminal Minds, Cold Case) wrote the pilot and serves as show runner and executive producer.

“This is a high profile project that brings with it the possibility of securing a television series that takes place and is shot here in Michigan,” said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. “Series like this provide long-term work for our crew and this one in particular would provide ample opportunities to showcase landmarks throughout metro Detroit to a national audience.”

The project was awarded an incentive of $1,344,412 and expects to hire 124 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of 23 jobs.

The pilot is slated to be delivered to AMC for consideration in its line-up of shows that already includes Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Hell on Wheels and The Walking Dead.

To date in 2012, six projects have been awarded a total of $16,117,583 on $54,928,454 of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 849 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 238 jobs.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. Film Review Committee, comprised of senior MEDC staff including the Michigan Film Commissioner, reviews all completed applications.

Using the statute to guide approval decisions, preference is given to projects that best meet the following criteria:
* The production is financially viable.
* Utilization of existing infrastructure (studios, post-production facilities, equipment rental, etc.).
* The number and wage levels of direct jobs for Michigan residents created by a production.
* Ability to show Michigan in a positive light and promote the state as a tourist destination.
* Magnitude of estimated expenditures in Michigan.

The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and promote the growth of Michigan’s own film industry. The Film Office also administers the incentive program for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan.